What I Have Been Doing

Seagulls from my sketchbook for my current project:









And just a bit of fun inking and then digitally colouring this one:



I have to admit for someone who is usually anti-sketchbook I've really enjoyed scribbling out these seagulls and really developing the characters. Just being able to stick them down and try things out without it mattering too much has been really helpful. I always find it hard not to overwork things, particularly at the start of a project.

For the final artwork I am inking up the main character in each story with a dip pen - as you can see on the last image - and that's made the line really interesting. The flat digital colour sits really well beside it - they contrast and balance each other nicely. I must have a play with making more simple, dip pen characters with flat, digital fill. It could be a great alternative portfolio. Yay!

My Whole Life is Organised in This Notebook

Woe betide me if I forget it. I need to put it on a cord like kids' mittens to thread through my jumper so it's always there.

Even I was getting bored of constantly visiting my own blog and seeing the same old boring post, so it's been time for a bit of an update and a spring clean. Nice and fresh for the New Year.

Speaking of which, I went for coffee on New Year's Day with a old aquaintance who asked me if I had any New Year's Resolutions. At the time I just umm-ed and ahh-ed and made vague noises to the effect of "Errr, dunno. Get more illustration work?", but actually now I've thought about it, I do have some things I'd like to achieve in the upcoming year.

Work Goals:

1. Work incredibly hard on the Brave Tales project, and really use my four weeks off from the PT job to concentrate on it.

2. From April, send out a promo postcard every six weeks.

3. Update websites, and, funds willing, sign up for another one or two portfolio sites.

4. Re-plan "The Eeries".

House Goals:

Too many! But,

1. Decorate all the remaining rooms.

2. Update the taps etc in the bathroom and re-tile.

3. Lay new floor throughout the downstairs.

4. Lay decking in the garden.

5. Put it up for sale and get loadsa wonga!!!

Knitting/Crafting Goals:

1. Knit something lovely for Erica's upcoming bundle.

2. Learn how to crochet.

3. Make a quilt, even if it's really simple.

4. Make real use of lovely new screen printing kit to make softies for etsy/craft fairs.

Personal Goals:

1. See friends much more, and to stop my internal monologue being such a kill joy, so if someone invites me out I won't think of 100 reasons why I won't enjoy it.

2. Get food issues sorted out.

3. Chill out. Big time.

4. Only take on as many things as I am comfortable with doing at once, and stop beating myself up if other people do things differently - that's them, not me.

5. Bake more.

6. Moisturise.

7. Take more photographs.

8. Blog more. Of course.

Actually, I'm sure that list wasn't that long in my head, but it's good writing it all down. Now it's out there it's real and therefore I have to do something about it.

Right, let's go do something productive!

SOSF Christmas exchange - thanks

Here is my package from the lovely Helen:



Check out the immense* Edward Gorey wrapping paper, and the "sand dollar" - I've never seen one of those before. Apparently, according to t'interwb, they're "echinoderms (a type of invertebrate), spiny-skinned animals that live on the sea floor." Cool.

This fat, red fishy is my favourite; he's carved from wood and hand-painted:



Many, many thanks for my wonderful gift, Helen. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

*apologies for the use of "immense", in this instance meaning "amazing" or "brilliant". I've been hanging around teenagers too long.

December in Pictures